“You have arrived at your destination,” the automated voice told him, as Lester parked the car and got out.

Then he smiled. Not far away, was Connor. He had covered one of the wooden tables in the park with a blanket, set it out with plates and bowls of food. Walking over, he saw Sid and Nancy curled up under the table.

Connor waved, the movement alerting the Diictodons and causing them to scramble up to go and welcome Lester.

“It was supposed to be a picnic, but Sid kept stealing things. I had to move it out of reach.”

~.~

Lester petted the Diictodons, glancing around. “Should they be out here? What if someone sees them?”

Connor shook his head. “There’s no one out here but us. Sit down; I made all of your favourites.”

“Not that I don’t appreciate it, but what is this in aid of?”

Now Connor blushed slightly. “Well, you know what today is, right? I wanted to ask you, I mean, if you want… wouldyoubemyvalentine?”

Lester just stared at him for a moment, the idea surprising him. Only now, after all this, did he realise how fond he was of Connor.

“I would be honoured.”

~.~

The first time Connor took his hand in public, Lester had backed off, not knowing how people would react to it. He had seen the look on Connor’s face when he did it, too.

He couldn’t help it; he had been brought up to believe that you didn’t show affection in public. It just wasn’t done.

Well times have changed, he decided a few weeks later, cupping Connor’s face in his hands and kissing him lightly, uncaring of the old woman walking by who tutted loudly at them.